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Most people invest heavily in their home security systems and forget about the garage yet according to FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) nearly 4.5 billion dollars worth of property was lost to burglars gaining entry through the garage in 2014. This revelation acts as a wake-up call to most home owners who don’t invest in ensuring the safety of their garage. The garage is used to store some of the most valuable items in your home including the car, your lawn mower, your kid’s bikes, tools and other equipment. Further, it acts as a potential entry point to your home and one of the most vulnerable to burglars since they know that most homes pay little attention to securing their garages.
Research indicates that most burglars gain access to an efficiently secured garage in less than six seconds; imagine how easily they will access yours if it is unsecured. Once they are inside the garage, they get away with valuables and gain easier access to the inside of your home. Thus, there are enough reasons to understand why A Safe Home Starts With the Garage, and reason to start investing in enhancing security and safety of the garage.Resources:Columbus Garage Door Proshomedepot.comlowes.com

Keep the garage door locked

This might sound obvious but you will be surprised at the number of people who leave their garage doors open with the presumption that someone is home or that they stay in secure neighborhoods. Ensure the windows and both doors are closed, whether someone is home or not. If you have a detached garage, keep the door to the house locked and if possible, ensure it has a double lock for extra security.

Lighting

Nothing attracts burglars to your garage more than darkness, these people hate light and will take advantage of any poorly lit garage. Motion detector lighting is the best option since apart from spooking a thief; it is also highly cost effective. The interior of the garage should be dimly lit and make sure that visibility from outside is difficult; a burglar is less likely to break into a place that they can’t see clearly.

Install a reliable door

Another thing that seems obvious yet it is a strong deterrent to burglars. Ensure the door is made of high quality material such as galvanized steel and reinforced with hinges, handles and gauge plates. The service door is another think to consider since it acts as a potential point of entry to burglars. Ensure that you install a dead-bolt to make forced entry difficult. The best dead-bolt to install is Grade 1 since it offers free spinning known to deter wrench attacks; has anti-pick top pins and ball bearing cylinder to deter drilling. Be sure to strengthen the lock area of your door with a metal sleeve. Afterwards, install a strike plate (strong) attached to the wall frame using long screws.

Bar windows

Although windows are the last option for burglars to use while breaking in due to the noise, they still try to break in or pry open. Always keep them locked. Add strong bars to ensure that they don’t get in even after breaking the glass. Also, install curtains or covers over the windows to prevent anyone from seeing the contents of your garage from outside. Use sheer material like plastic sheets or fabric which allows light from the inside but makes it difficult for anyone to see the inside from outside.

Alarm system

The alarm system can be a simple door sensor that sends an audible alarm whenever the door is opened. The remote door sensor is another option, this function by sending a signal to a remote receiver or monitor when the door is opened. Chamberlain wi-fi door opener is one of the latest inventions in garage door security. It operates with an app that keeps track of all people coming in or getting out of the garage. Further, using the app, it is possible to lock the door from a remote location thus adding an extra layer of security.

Bring your garage keys

If you are going on a trip, take your keys rather than hiding them somewhere in your home or living them in your car. If someone breaks into your car, they can easily gain access to your garage and get away with valuables. If you operate your garage with a remote, explore the option of a key chain remote which is highly portable and can be carried in your pocket.

Thus, with these simple tips, you can rest assured that security of your garage and your home is in place. After investing heavily in keeping your home safe, there is no reason to give burglars an opportunity to rope you using your garage as a potential entry point and this is why A Safe Home Starts With The Garage.

The word “transponder” is a combination of transmitter and responder. Transponder keys were first used during World War II by fighter planes. Today, almost every new car comes with some transponder key. The transponder keys have a radio frequency transmitter inside them. And since there is a device near the vehicle’s ignition switch that has a receiver, the key will transmit an extremely low-level radio frequency that only the specific car will detect when the key is in the switch.

The device at the ignition switch cannot start if it does not detect the low-level radio frequency signal from the transponder key. Thus, transponder keys perform a very good job in helping to prevent the theft of your car by thieves who hot-wire to kick-start the car. If someone tries to hot-wire a car designed for a transponder key, it won’t start as there is no signal from the key. If someone uses a copied key without the radio frequency signal, the car won’t start either. Only a person with the transponder key can start and drive the car.Resources:AZ Car KeysWikipedialowes.com

That way, the transponder key offers the best security for your car against thieves. There is no conceivable way a criminal will have access to your car unless he first has the transponder keys. Even if the criminal does manage to gain access to your car, he can’t start and move the car. The transponder key has to be made available before the car starts. And, only the car owner has access to the transponder key; therefore, only the car owner can start or move the car.

And, even if a thief decides to tow your vehicle away instead of driving it, he will still have to reprogram the car for him to be able to drive it at last. That is an inconvenience that will deter and ward off car thieves.

Since the transponder keys cannot be duplicated, ensure you ask for a spare key from the manufacturer for emergency purposes.

Transponder keys can also perform a variety of other functions when you are within a short distance to the vehicle. For example, it can help to lock or unlock car doors if you just press a button. Moreover, there is an alarm system included in the coded security system. Therefore, the car will sound an alarm if an unauthorized person enters or attempts to enter your car.

Some new car models permit you to start the car remotely with the aid of a transponder key. Thus, instead of entering to sit in a frozen or sizzling seat, you may turn the engine beforehand so it may begin adjusting the temperature.

Because the transponder keys help to ward off car thieves, many insurance firms consider cars with transponder keys to be theft-proof. Thus, insuring the car against theft with an insurance company is easy. Insurance rates are usually pegged on the amount of risk: the riskier, the higher the rates, and vice versa.

However, the drawback here is that it is often difficult to convince insurance firms that your car was stolen as they believe that vehicles with these keys are theft-proof.

And what happens if you lose the key?

As earlier advised, keeping two transponder keys is a good idea since replacement of a transponder key is rather expensive. If there is a need for a replacement, they can be made by a locksmith or auto dealer- but that can be expensive too. You can also find kits that can bypass transponders. There are tutorials as well for bypassing transponder keys by using electrical relays and wiring. Moreover, with some car models, you can get a new plain key cut for the ignition, and then tape the transponder key on the steering column’s inside so that it is so close as to turn off the engine immobilizers- then the person can kick-start the vehicle with a plain key.

Another transponder key drawback is that the range of the key radio frequency is limited. You must be very close to the car to be able to use the transponder key. And, of late there have been reports of thieves towing the car away instead of driving. They can then go on to reprogram the car. But the process of towing the car to reprogram it is hectic and grueling, and, ideally, should deter any thief.

Most buildings all over the world are inspected yearly to ensure that they comply with the set standards in terms of safety and more. After thorough inspection, fire department provides you with a full report to help you make the necessary corrections if any. However, such inspections vary from one state to the other and therefore it is essential to understand the fire codes of your state before you commence your construction. Note that codes remind you of the things that should be met and the kind of exit devices, fire-alarm system, and fire sprinkler system to be installed.
Before you install the above systems, it is prudent to involve a specialist who understands how to install the needed systems properly.Resources:www.tigardlocksmith.orggrainger.comhomedepot.com

Exit Devices

They are also known as panic device, push bar or panic bar. These devices are used for unlocking the door during emergency situations. Today, each and every building should comply with the building codes, which make sure that every public building has at least one exit device. Fortunately, crash bar can be installed in a wide range of door types as a way to save lives in the event of fire, stampedes, terrorism attack and more. It has been found that panic can occur in situations of fire or explosions making the rescue process a bit tricky, but with exit devices, evacuations will be far much easy.

A door designated for exit does not have a handle on the outside. This feature makes sure that your home is secure. However, some doors meant for exit have been fitted with handles on the outside and inside as well. Such doors can be opened freely from either side allowing occupants to enter or exit the building with a lot of easy.

Factors to Consider when Installing Panic Devices

Ease of Installation

Always choose the panic bars that are easy to install, repair and inexpensive to replace. For instance, a crossbar rim device the easiest to assemble. If you do not like crossbar, you may consider using push pad rim device, which is also the simplest to work with and needs no or little maintenance. Pad rim devices are suitable for buildings with high-traffic.

Safety

When installing an exit device, you should bear in mind the safety of your loved ones. A good panic device should comply with ANSI Grade 1 standards. In other words, devices should be designed in such a way that they can tolerate forced entry.

Available Options

Panic devices come in a wide range of options. As a result, you should choose the option that suits your safety needs. Many people prefer using cross bar devices due to the fact they offer incredible architectural finishing as well as available in a variety of colors.

Applications of Exit Devices

In general, panic bars are commonly used in care centers, learning institutions, retail stores, hospitals offices and more. These devices play a role in ensuring that the work place is secure and safe.

Types

The common types include: multi-point, rim, cable, touchpad, recessed, crossbar and mortise exit devices respectively. All these types comply with building codes while enhancing the safety of your property. In addition, they match different door types since they come in different shapes and colors.

Fire Codes

Fire safety codes complement the building code. Generally, fire codes play an important role in preventing fires and make sure that the original plan of a structure is not compromised at all. These codes vary from state to state.
To comply with life safety codes, you should install exit devices in particular cases. These codes forbid the use of locks that may confuse or compromise the safety of the user. To enhance safety, fire devices should be self-latching in event of fire. Apart from being self-latching, fire doors should be able to close to prevent fire from spreading.
In most households, security, life safety and fire can be a day-to-day challenge. Some homeowners view security as a major concern and therefore end up securing their homes with unauthorized locks, which may pose risks to users in case of an emergency. It is advisable to go for an option that satisfies both concerns: life safety and security. Feel free to talk to fire inspector to help you through exit devices and their fire codes, so as to make an informed decision at the end of the day. This way, you will be able to make your home safe and secure for all.

Exit devices have become an indispensable part of life. Using these devices, one can easily open the doors from inside as they allow the doors to swing towards the direction people are exiting to. This gives more room to the people to move. Consequently, they help people to escape from fire as well as other mishaps that might occur in a work or house premises. Exit devices do not block the person who opens the door. This is extremely helpful in case of emergencies. Because of these devices, people don’t have a hard time to open the door. These devices are ideal in preventing people from hurting themselves whenever there is an emergency. However, for you to get the most ideal services from exit devices, you need to hire locksmith experts to install and maintain them. Here are various reasons why you should use a locksmith to install exit devices, thanks to the guys over at www.evkeys.net:

Security for your infrastructure: For building your business infrastructure you have to invest an enormous sum of money. After a massive investment, it becomes critical for you to protect the valuable structure from man-made disasters like thefts. You have to take advantages of the security services provided by professional organizations like locksmiths London.

Proper surveillance and maintenance of the exit devices: Along with the structure, it is equally important for a business to keep its valuable and sensitive information and documents safe from thieves and competitors. So your business needs a comprehensive security network designed and maintained by experienced professionals. The security system should be designed in such a way that it must simultaneously protect your valuable business premises as well as valuable documents and information. By engaging a professional locksmith for taking care of your security concerns you can relax and stop worrying about the safety of the business once you have left the office.

Advanced security techniques: Similar to other fields, the security techniques used in exit devices have also advanced much along with the advancement of technology. From the old security systems using locks the exit devices systems have improved till the usage of codes and CCTV cameras. These modern security techniques can track and provide protection to each of the activities taking place inside your business premises. By hiring locksmiths with their experience and expertise in security techniques understand the complete security requirement for your company and install a comprehensive system accordingly.

Complete security plan: Locksmith experts make a detailed and well-devised plan to secure your premises from the entry and exit doors to the safes and drawers along with proper management. After discussing the plan with you, the company can accurately implement it to safeguard all aspects of your business premises. Along with properly installed monitoring CCTV cameras, you can get a complete picture of your premises and install an advanced alarm system to strengthen your security.

Aspects of the business security system: Locksmiths take into consideration all important security aspects of managing a security system efficiently and installs the security system accordingly. After installing the security systems all around your business premises, it becomes more necessary to manage the installed security system in a more efficient manner. As you may also want to restrict all or some of your employees from accessing some particular parts of the business premises, the exit devices security system has to be designed accordingly. Only a locksmith company that has the required experience and expertise can offer you effective solutions for these restrictions and security.

Reliability of the exit devices security service provider: Security of business is one of your most serious concerns, and you have to use the services of an experienced professional locksmith. Normally, a locksmith company has the required expertise and experience in securing other businesses as they are duly insured and licensed. Also, you can trust the locksmith company that has been in the security business for a long time and has gathered enough experience over the years. As your local agency, the company can help in whenever security is required.

Locksmiths provide security installation and maintenance solutions to different types of commercial buildings. For a modern business, it is equally important to safeguard its sensitive documents and information of the enterprise just like other valuable properties. You need to hire professional security providers for building and maintaining a comprehensive exit devices security system for your business to keep it safe.

Security is a major concern when it comes to businesses, homes and other places. This, therefore, means that you have to find ways in which you will enhance security at those particular places. There are various ways in which you can boost the security of your home or business such as installing security devices, employing security personnel and so on. You can also entrust it to the services of a commercial locksmith.

Whether you need to get into safes or door locks, it is essential that you contact the best company available to help you out. There is just nothing worse than being locked out of your car, home, or safe and not knowing what to do because you have left your keys in another area.Resources:queencreeklocksmith.comwww.homedepot.com

Commercial locksmith companies are also good with rekeying locks so that you will find it easier to get into a locked building or car. Before you deal with this problem, you should have with you a phone number of a good locksmith that you can call if you need to get into door locks or safes. The professional will come and estimate how much it will cost to get into the building or car, depending on how much work is involved and how long the entire process will take. For most locksmiths, they can get into door locks within minutes, and you will be able to get back to life in no time at all.

Whether you are looking into re-keying locks or you, want to open the safes in your home that you have lost the key to, it is important that you make use of a good quality locksmith. Many people attempt to break their locks, and they may wind up damaging their car or home door because of it. Instead of damaging expensive items that you own, a commercial locksmith Boston company should be contacted to get the job done right. A commercial locksmith Boston company will be able to deal with door locks and safes that may be becoming a major problem.

When you have a building, you will be able to hire the services of a commercial locksmith so as to offer comprehensive security systems in your building. With the right security systems, you will not need to worry about your home, company or any other business. There are various locksmith services that you can get a locksmith. You need to be well acquainted with them so as to select the service that will meet your needs.

Commercial locksmith services

1. Upgrading locks are one service that you will get from these professionals. In case you are feeling insecure with your current locks, it is possible to have your locks upgraded at no extra cost so as to meet your needs. Before these locks are upgraded, you will be educated on the various upgrades to enable you to select the best upgrade.

2. There are some cases where locks get damaged. Instead of buying new locks, it is possible to have your locks repaired. This means that when you break your lock or when it gets worn out, you can opt for locksmith services to have them repaired. The technology used in repairing these locks is modern and of high quality that ensures that the lock is in secure condition so as to enhance your security. More so, repairing locks is quite cost effective when compared to buying new locks.

3. There are some cases where you can lock yourself out of your business without your knowledge. You might come to work one morning and find that your business has been locked. Commercial lockouts are also another service that you can get. There is the quick response so as to ensure that the locks are opened promptly without interrupting your business. Time is imperative when it comes to business. Hence, you need to ensure that these locks are quickly attended to.

Above all, the price is imperative in every business. This means that you need to determine the price of these services. Also, consider the quality and experience of the locksmiths to get a clear picture of the services that you will receive. It is good to go for experienced professionals who utilize modern technology in offering their services.

It is always good to be prepared for this type of emergency before it happens. To prevent this, you will need to keep the number of the locksmith in your phone so that they can deal with rekeying locks that you do not have the original for. By ensuring that you have the company’s number on you at all times for rekeying locks, you will be amazed at the peace of mind that you can achieve while you are out and about.

Exit devices are also known as panic bars , panic devices, or push bars. This device plays an important role in unlocking a door during emergency cases. The device contains a spring loaded metal bar that is fitted to the inside of a doorway that is typically opened outward. When the lever is depressed or pushed, the push bar is stimulated to initiate a mechanism that unlatches the door in order to allow the residents to exit from the house. This implies that exit bar is a crucial device that can save lives in a situation of fire . It is worth noting that all building must comply with the ADA as well as ANSI 117.1. In addition, push bar promote security with allowed entrance features. The designated places should have fire, exit, and smoke signs.

If you want to buy one for your home, it is vital to look for a reputable contractor who sells push bars and exit devices at an affordable price. Here are the benefits of buying and installing genuine exit devices, brought to you by our friends at www.littletonlocksmith.net:

Panic devices are available in a wide range of options

There are many types of panic bars on the market, but choosing the right one for your building can be a daunting activity. Some of the panic bars come with an alarm to deter unauthorized exit. There are those bars that come in a wide range of designs and costs, so as to allow the individuals or companies to buy the perfect devices that meet their needs and budget.

Safety

This is one of the top leading benefits of push bars. A good panic bar should be able to allow evacuation of people in an emergency situation. To boost safety, push bars are installed on the inside of the exit in order to ensure that the door can remain locked at all times, especially on the people on the outside of the building to prevent people from accessing the house without permission. Additionally, panic devices can be fitted with alarms so as to detect any unauthorized exit from the apartment. It is prudent to look for a talented and experienced locksmith to install the panic device and ensure that it is functioning properly.

Reduced Insurance Rates

Real estate owners are looking for ways to enhance both security and safety while ensuring that the budget remain low. Push bars provide long term solution to this issue since they make it easy to evacuate people in case of fire or any hazard. However, one should make sure that devices are installed according to the set standards and guidelines. When these bars are installed properly, it can lead to reduction in the annual premiums paid by the facility. This is because the amount of premium paid is determined by the likelihood of the risk happening. This means that if your building do not have push bars installed, then you will pay higher premiums because your building do not meet safety measures and hence risky.

The Devices are Affordable

Exit devices are less expensive than the normal doors. There are cheaper options that will cost you about $100, but the best models can cost you up to $300. However, if you are installing at least two panic bars, the locksmith can offer you a discount on the total cost. In addition, source the parts or materials from a trusted supplier who sells push bars and exit devices at a reasonable price.

Exit Devices Are Both Efficient and Effective

Exit devices have proved to be effective and efficient. For this reason, it is a requirement to install them in a variety of commercial buildings across the world. In fact, for some buildings, it has been made compulsory. There are some cases of situations that have happened over the past years in various parts of the world. These tragedies could have been more tragic, especially if the movie theaters or learning institutions that these emergencies occurred at did not have panic bars on all the emergency doors. Push bars serve to promote faster and efficient way to evacuate people from the facility.

If your building is not equipped with exit bars, then you should look for a remarkable contractor to install at least one for you. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

To any business owner, the security of the business premises is paramount. No matter the size of the business, whether a big corporation mid-sized or even a small stall, it is imperative to ensure that security is maintained at all times. Particularly, the physical security of a business is always a great deal. It is therefore very important to put in place measures that will ensure that the business is always secure.

One of the frequently asked questions by the business owners is, “when should a business change or rekey their locks?” This is an important question that any business owner needs to ask. There are several instances when it is necessary for a business to rekey or change the locks. Thanks to our friends at www.lakewoodcolocksmith.com, here are some of the most important instances:

New premises

When a business acquires new premises that were previously occupied by another business, it is always important to have the locks rekeyed or replaced. This is because, although the previous business owners have moved, they might still have access to the premises through the keys that might still be in their possession. Many people rarely understand the importance of changing the locks or rekeying. A business should not start operating before the locks have been changed. The business is usually vulnerable to attacks as not all former tenants might be trustworthy. Rekeying or changing locks is therefore very important for newly occupied premises.

It is therefore always recommended that a business owner ensures that the locks are replaced or rekeyed to exclude any possibility of any of the former business owners gaining entry into the premises. This is actually the very first activity that business owners should handle to ensure that the premise is secure for their business.

In the event of a robbery attack

In the event that the business is attacked by burglars, it is important to replace the keys or rekey. This ensures that the burglars’ chances of accessing a business premise are nullified. The burglars might have some inside information about the security of the place which might be the reason as to why they have chosen that particular business.

Any business that has been robbed or was a victim of a suspected foiled robbery, it is important that the owners have the locks rekeyed or replaced. This will exclude any chance that the robbers might have of accessing entry into a building. There are many common cases of break-in robbers getting assistance from the company workers. To avoid this, the company should replace or rekey the locks in the event of such happenings.

In the event of a lay off

This is especially common when employers are laid off forcefully. Most of these disgruntled employees are usually willing to do anything to get back at their former bosses. There have been many cases of attempted arson by many former employees to various companies. It is therefore important to replace or rekey the locks especially in the event that the company has laid off a large number of employees.

For business premises that constantly deal with risky commodities like money or precious stones, it is also recommended that the company replaces the locks or have them rekeyed after sometime. The argument behind this is that with time, the security measures are bound to be relaxed for the workers in such companies. It is therefore always important the security is beefed up every now and then.

The above are some of the many reasons as to when a business should consider changing or rekeying their locks. The simple act of replacing the locks could go a long way in saving the owner of the premises millions in the event that the robbers gain access. When selecting the locksmith to work on the locks, it is also important that the business owners are careful on who they choose.

A good locksmith is the one that can be trusted to offer good security to a business premise. The locksmith should be able to maintain a professional code of conduct that ensures that the security details of a client’s house or business remain confidential. It is therefore recommended that one carries out some background check on the locksmith before hiring them. This will give you a sense of what kind of services to expect.

It is very painful to experience a greater loss of your commercial property. Despite the pain, most commercial property owners are negligent of security of their property. Many think that having a CCTV camera and a security guard is enough, but that is not true. Commercial property security goes far beyond that. You need a complete security system for your property and make use of all the necessary details to ascertain their property is fully covered. This article presents ways one can implement to keep their commercial property secure with thanks to lakeoswegolocksmith.net.

Security guards

Another security feature that is very necessary. Security personnel may be insignificant to some people, but they play a very important security role. Nature, location, and type of property will determine the number of security personnel to hire. Security personnel will protect both your property and your employees.

Insurance cover

If there is something never to be ignored on your property is an insurance cover. Covering your property with an insurance cover a wise idea and gives one confident over their property. There are different insurance packages that can completely secure your property. You require a general liability cover, workers compensation cover – for your employees and commercial property cover. It is not a great deal covering your property comprehensively as compared to losing it all at once and no compensation.

Security system

The type of security system one takes to keep their property safe should be tailored to meet certain needs. However, the property type will also dictate the security system to be installed. Besides, it is essential to have fire alarms, burglar alarms and video surveillance on your property. These devices will work to alert you in the case of fire or any other abnormality. Other security apparatus that will enhance your commercial property security include; DVRs/NVRs, surveillance monitoring equipment, and security cameras.

Well laid security policies

You must write down all the security policies applicable to your property. Regardless of the size and type of property, you have to document these policies and measures well so that everyone can review them at ease. They should also be easily understandable. Make sure persons working on your property and external clients/customers understand these security policies. This will prevent misinterpretation of the how and why your property should be secured.

Data protection

Data is very sensitive and need to be well covered and protected. Commercial property is accompanied with very sensitive data that need to be handled properly. Regardless of whether the data is hand-written or in electronic form, it should not be ignored. Every data in paper form should be stored in a fireproof safe. You also need to have a comprehensive network security and ensure that all your data is backed up to a remote storage away from the property premises.

Putting up a Secure non-obstructive perimeter fence

Putting up a large fence around your property is quite significant. However, a large fence can be visually unattractive and create a disturbing environment to customers. Your fencing should both offer maximum security to your property, and it should make it eye-appealing too. The fence should be able to keep intruders away and at the same time allow good visibility of your premises.

Lighting system

It is essential to provide maximum visibility of your property more so at night. You might wonder how will light provide security to your property but if you have a good lighting system, you will be able to monitor your property at ease. Outside lights and power sources need to be covered with vandal-proof covers. All the entry points into your property premises need to be well lit including gates, windows, and doors.

Installing an Electronic access system

Equipping your property with standard locks is a good security measure but installing electronic access system gives you maximum property protection. This will ensure your property is secure even when an intruder tampers with the external security systems like doors and windows.

Safety culture and responsibility among employees

Employees man every property. The best form of security is the one earned by winning the trust of your employees. Even if you get the best system that have the most advanced technology in the world and fail to coordinate your employees who manage your property, you will have security issues. The best thing to do is to create a culture of safety and responsibility and make sure employees understand its significance. Their coordination and ability to take security responsibility of your property will ease your work.